Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Council, held a press conference after the 3222nd meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 February 2013 in Brussels.
The EU Ministers for Foreign Affairs discussed the situation in Mali and EU action to support Mali. They examined the implementation of the EU's Eastern Partnership, in preparation for upcoming meetings with the EU's Eastern Partners. Ministers also discussed the latest developments in Iraq. The Council debated events in the EU's southern neighbourhood and took stock of the Middle East peace process.